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Psalm 60

Prayer for National Victory after Defeat

To the leader: according to the Lily of the Covenant. A Miktam of David; for instruction; when he struggled with Aram-naharaim and with Aram-zobah, and when Joab on his return killed twelve thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt.

O God, you have rejected us, broken our defenses;
    you have been angry; now restore us!(A)
You have caused the land to quake; you have torn it open;
    repair the cracks in it, for it is tottering.(B)
You have made your people suffer hard things;
    you have given us wine to drink that made us reel.(C)

You have set up a banner for those who fear you,
    to rally to it out of bowshot.[a] Selah(D)
Give victory with your right hand and answer us,[b]
    so that those whom you love may be rescued.(E)

God has promised in his sanctuary,[c]
    “With exultation I will divide up Shechem
    and portion out the Vale of Succoth.(F)
Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine;
    Ephraim is my helmet;
    Judah is my scepter.(G)
Moab is my washbasin;
    on Edom I hurl my shoe;
    over Philistia I shout in triumph.”(H)

Who will bring me to the fortified city?
    Who will lead me to Edom?
10 Have you not rejected us, O God?
    You do not go out, O God, with our armies.(I)
11 O grant us help against the foe,
    for human help is worthless.(J)
12 With God we shall do valiantly;
    it is he who will tread down our foes.(K)

Psalm 61

Assurance of God’s Protection

To the leader: with stringed instruments. Of David.

Hear my cry, O God;
    listen to my prayer.(L)
From the end of the earth I call to you,
    when my heart is faint.

Lead me to the rock
    that is higher than I,(M)
for you are my refuge,
    a strong tower against the enemy.(N)

Let me abide in your tent forever,
    find refuge under the shelter of your wings. Selah(O)
For you, O God, have heard my vows;
    you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.(P)

Prolong the life of the king;
    may his years endure to all generations!(Q)
May he be enthroned forever before God;
    appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him!(R)

So I will always sing praises to your name,
    as I pay my vows day after day.(S)

Footnotes

  1. 60.4 Gk Syr Jerome: Heb because of the truth
  2. 60.5 Or me
  3. 60.6 Or by his holiness